Hunter dies in hospital, case treated as homicide

A local man died Friday after allegedly being shot while duck hunting earlier this week, according to local authorities, who said they are now treating the case as a homicide.

Robert Mathew Devitto, 26, of the 200 block of Strike Eagle Drive, Broadway, died Friday after being hit six times from a single buckshot round while hunting Tuesday night at the N.C. Wildlife Game Lands, located on Lower River Road near Gunther Road, Lee County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jeff Johnson said.

He was taken off of life support and died shortly after 1 p.m. Friday at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

Devitto was hunting alone, and it appears he may have been confronted by another hunter, according to Johnson.

"This is being investigated as a homicide at this time, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the assistance of the public and anyone who may have been hunting in this area ...," the release states. "Investigators believe there were at least two other vehicles parked to the left of Devitto’s Red Chevrolet truck."

Devitto, an active member of the U.S. Army, left his home to duck hunt around 4 p.m., and his wife grew worried when Devitto hadn’t returned by 7:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. Devitto was found by his friends, who then called the authorities.

If anyone has any information concerning this incident, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (919) 775-5531 or leave an anonymous tip at (919) 718-4577.